Thomas a



T. A. 'KEEFER.

COUNTING 0R NUMBERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. l3, me.

1 ,32 3 ,290. Patented Dec. 2,1919.

INVE/V TOR.

B 72/0/7729" 19. fieeiar A TTORNEY UNITED STATES lZA TENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. KEEEER, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE RECORDING DEVICES COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

COUNTING OR NUMBERING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

Original application filed March 20, 1916, Serial No. 85,245. Divided and this application filed November 13,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS A. Human, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful ln'iprovements in Counting or Numbering Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to counting or numbering devices and is a division of the application for Patent No. 1,273,114, granted to me July 16th, 1918, for recording devices.

The object of the invention is to provide a counter, or numbering device, which. cannot be manipulated or set back to cause a record to be made. To this end it is a further object of the invention to provide a counter, or the like, comprising a plurality of adjustable members, such as counter wheels, and to separately lock a part or all of the adjustable members to prevent them from being adjusted, except in the regular and prescribed manner. It is also an object of the invention to provide a mechanism of this kind which will be simple in its construction and positive in its operation, and which can be produced at a low cost.

in the accompanying drawings Figure l is a plan view of a counter embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken centrally through such a device; Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line w-02 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. i is a transverse section on the line of Fig. 2 looking in the direction opposite that indicated by the arrows; Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line g 1 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line y-g of Fig. 2 looking in the direction opposite thatindicated by the arrows; and Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of the springs for actuating the counter wheels.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and shown the same as comprising a son counter wheels rotatable about a common or units, counter wheel from any suitable-source of power. Means are provided for preventing the coun or from being manipulated or adjusted, or set back, to produce a false record, this being referably Serial No. 130,934.

accomplished by providing means for looking the counter wheels against movement and for automatically releasing the counter wheels from the locking means on the normal operation of the device, to permit the advancement of the same. These results ma be accomplished with mechanism differing more or less from that here shown, but this mechanism accomplishes the results in a satisfactory manner.

' In the particular embodiment of the invention here illustrated the counter, which is indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 23, comprises a plurality of counter wheels, there being, in the present instance, three of these wheels, although of course any suitable number may be employed. As here shown the initial, or units, counter wheel is indicated by the reference numeral 24; the second, or tens, counter wheel by the reference numeral 25; and the third, or hundreds, counter wheel by the reference numeral 26. These counter wheels are mounted on a stud shaft 27 which may be secured to a suitable support in any desired manner so long as the counter wheels are left free to operate. The several counter wheels are actuated through power applied to the initial, or units, counter wheel, suitable t'ansfer mechanism being provided to advance the tens counter wheel and the hundreds counter wheel the proper distances at the proper times. Any suitable actuating device may be provided for imparting movement to the units counter wheel, but, in the present construction, I have shown the actuating device as comprising a collar 28 mounted on the shaft adjacent to the units counter wheel, and having a pawl and ratchet connection with the units counter wheel. Preferably, that face of the collar 28, adjacent to the counter wheel, is provided with teeth 29 which are engaged by two resilient pawls .30, which are secured to the units counter wheel and which are preferably arranged in an ennui; recess 31 formed in that face of the counter wheel adjacent to the actuating collar. T he collar is provided with an arm means of which rotatory movement may be im arted to the collar. This arm may be connected with an operating device, or member, in any suitable manner, as by n us of a connecting rod, or pitman, 33. To prevent the counter wheels from being manipulated by hand to cause them to produce a false record I have provided means for looking a part, or all, of the counter wheels against movement at all times, except during the normal operation of the counter by means of the actuating device. Preferably all of the counter wheels are normally locked against movement in either direction, but very good protection can be had in many cases if the outer counter wheels, that is, in the present instance, the tens and hundreds counter wheels are so locked, and the units counter wheel is provided with the usual detent to prevent its rearward movement. The manner of mounting the counter in many instances is such that the units counter wheel is more or less difiicult of access and it would be a very tedious operation to advance the same by hand to produce a fraudulent record. Hence, if the tens and hundreds counter wheels, which are more accessible, are locked against operation there is small liability of the counter being manipulated to produce a false record. 7

- In the counter here shown, which is particularly designed for use in connection with the recording mechanism described in the above mentioned application, I have provided separate detents for normally locking the respective counter wheels against movement in either direction, and have provided means controlled by the actuating device for the counter for releasing the respective counter wheels from these detent-s and adjusting the counter wheels to advance the count. As shown in the drawings each counter wheel is provided at one edge of its inner periphery, that is its bore, with an annular series of notches 35, there being one notch for each mark, or number, carried by the counter wheel, in the present instance ten. The supporting shaft 27 of the counter is provided with longitudinal recesses, or slots, 36 and 37, in which are mounted a series of detents arranged to cooperate with the respective counter wheels. As here shown the detent 38 acts upon the units counter wheel, the detent 39 acts upon the tens counter wheel, and the detent 40 acts upon the hundreds counter wheel. A spring 41, confined in a recess in the shaft, holds the detent 38 normally in one of the notches of the units counter wheel, while a spring 42 mounted in an opening of the shaft acts upon the detents 39 and 40 to move them outwardly into engagement with their respective counter wheels. The detent for each counter wheel is moved into its inoperative position by that part immediately preceding said counter wheel. In the case of the units counter wheel this preceding part is the actuating device, or collar 28, while in the cases of the tens and hundreds counter wheel the preceding part is the adjacent counter wheel. Ineach instance the preceding part is provided with a projection, or cam, which at the proper time during the movement of that part will engage the detent for the adjacent counter wheel and move the same into its inoperative position. Further, an operative connection is established between the particular counter wheel which has been released and the preceding part of the mechanism to advance that counter wheel. Thus I have combined with my locking mechanism a transfer mechanism for transferring the count from one counter wheel to the other. As shown in the drawings, the actuating collar 28 is provided along that edge of its inner periphery adjacent to the units counter wheel with a recess 43, which may extend all, or a portion of, the distance about the bore of the collar. This recess is arranged to receive a portion of the nose of the pawl when the latter is in one of the notches 35 of the units counter wheel. Mounted within this recess in the collar is a cam 44 which is so arranged that upon the reverse movement of the actuating collar the cam will ride over the detent 38 and force the same out of the notch 35 of the counter wheel. The cam is provided with a dwell, or straight portion, of such a length that the detent will be held against upward movement until the forward movement of the actuating collar has caused the units counter wheel to be advanced a distance suflicicnt to move the notch therein out of alinement with the nose of the detent, thus preventing the detent from interfering with the adjustment of the counter wheel. lVhen the actuating device has completed its stroke and the units counter wheel has been advanced one point another notch 35 of the counter wheel will be brought into alinement with the nose of the detent and the detent will enter this notch, thereby again locking the counter wheel against movement in either direction and holding it in this position until the actuating device is again 0perated. "In Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated the detent and transfer mechanism between the tens counter wheel and the hundreds counter wheel, but it will be understood that this mechanism is identical with that betweenthe units counter wheel and the tens counter wheel, and the description of the mechanism of these figures will apply equally well tothe connection between the other counters. As has been stated, the hundreds counter wheel is provided at the right hand edge of its inner periphery with a series of notches 35 to receive the nose of the detent 40, which is normally held therein by the spring 42. The tens counter wheel is provided in the edge of the inner periphery thereof adjacent to the hundreds counter wheel, with a circumferential groove, 0r recess, 44", which receives a portion of the nose of the detent 40 when the latter is in one of the-notches in the hundreds co'unter 180.

wheel. Mounted within this recess is a cam 45 which is so arranged with relation to the figures on the periphery of the tens counter wheel, that the cam will engage the detent 40 and move the same into its inoperative position when the tens counter wheel has completed one revolution, thus releasing the hundreds counter Wheel and leaving the same free to advance with the tens counter wheel upon the next movement thereof. To cause the counter wheel which has been released to advance with the precedingcounter wheel when the latter is next actuated,'I have provided an operative connection between the two counter wheels which will permit the preceding counter wheel to move independently of the succeeding counter wheel when the latter is locked against movement, but will cause the succeeding counter wheel, when released, to move with the preceding counter wheel. In the present instance this connection is a frictional connection which will slip when the succeeding counterwheel is locked, but which will have sufficient grip upon the succeeding counter wheel to cause it to move when released. Preferably, the succeeding, or hundreds, counter wheel is provided in that face adjacent the tens counter wheel with an annular groove 46, and in this groove I have mounted a split ring 4-7 of re silient material which is of such a normal diameter that it will bear with considerable friction against the outer wall of the annular recess 46. This ring is provided with a laterally extending projection 48 which enters a recess 49 in the adjacent face of the preceding, or tens, counter wheel, thus connecting the ring, or frictional elem-ent, to the preceding,or tens, counter wheel in such a man ner as to cause the ring to move at all times with that counter wheel. When the hundreds counter wheel is locked against movement, the resilient frictional member will slip over its cooperating frictional surface and will permit the preceding counter wheel to rotate.- The friction is such, however, that as soon as the hundreds counter wheel is released it will be caused to move with the frictional element and consequently with the preceding counter wheel. Thus it will be apparent that when the tens counter wheel has advanced nine points the hundreds counter wheel will be released and upon the next movement of the tens counter wheel the hundreds counter wheel will be advanced therewith, thus adding one to the tens counter wheeland moving the cam 45 of the tens counter wheel past the detent 40 and permitting the latter to move into the next notch 35 of thehundr-eds counter wheel, thereby again locking the latter .against movement.

t will be understood, of course, that the frictional connection between the units counter wheel and the tens counter wheel is so regulated that it will advance both the tens counter wheel and the hundreds counter wheel when the latter are simultaneously re leased.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that I have provided a counter which cannot be manipulated independently of its actuating device to pro duce a false record. Hence, the count is always accurate and as used with the counter device ofthe above mentioned application it is not possible to change the count to cause a false number to be placed on the record. Further, it will be apparent that the device is of such a character that the count will be accurately transferred from one wheel to the other; that the locking devices are positive in operation and are positively moved into their inoperative positions to release the respective counter wheels prior to the operation thereof; and further that the device is simple in its construction and can be produced at a low cost. 7

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details of construction shown and described, as obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a counter, a shaft, a plurality of alined counter wheels mounted for independent rotation about said shaft, an actuating device for said counter, a detent carried by said shaft to hold one of said counter wheels normally against rotation, means carried by the preceding counter wheel to cause said detent to be moved into an inoperative position and then to cause the first mentioned counter wheel to be advanced while its detent is in its inoperative position.

2. In a counter, a shaft, a plurality of alined counter wheels mounted for independent rotation about said shaft, an actuating device for said counter, a detent mounted on said shaft within the bore of one of said counter wheels to engage the latter and hold the same normally against rotation, lTLGilllF? carried by the preceding counter wheel to cause said detent to be moved into an inoperative positicn and then to cause the first mentioned counter wheel to be advanced while its detent is in its inoperative position.

3.- In a counter, a shaft, a plurality of alined counter wheels mounted for independ ent rotation about said shaft, separately operable detents mounted on said shaft to hold each counter wheel normally against rotation, an actuating device for the initial counter wheel, means carried by each pre ceding counter wheel and by said actuating device to cause the detents for the respective counter wheels to be moved into inoperative positions and to advance said counter wheels while the respective detents are inoperative.

4C. In a counter, a plurality of counter wheels, an actuating device for said counter, a device to hold one of said counter wheels normally against adjustment, a part carried by the preceding counter wheel to actuate said device and release said first mentioned counter wheel, and av frictional connection between saidcounter wheels to cause said first mentioned counter wheel to move with said preceeding counter wheel when said locking device is in its inoperative position and to permit said preceding counter wheel to move independently of said first mentioned counter wheel when said locking device is in its operative position.

In a counter, a plurality of counter wheels, an actuating device for said counter, separate detents acting respectively on a plurality of said counter wheels to hold the same normally against adjustment, a part carried by each preceding counter wheel to move the detent for each succeeding counter wheel into inoperative position, and frictional connections between each preceding counter wheel and the next succeeding counter wheel to cause each succeeding counter wheel to be advanced while its detent is in its inoperative position.

6. In. a. counter, a plurality of counter whee-ls, an actuating device for said counter, a detent to lock one of said counter wheels against adjustment, means carried by the preceding counter wheel to move said detent into an inoperative position and to establish a frictional connection between said preceeding counter wheel and the first mentioned counter wheel to cause the latter to be advanced while said detent is in its inoperative position.

7-. In a counter, a counter wheel, a detent to hold said counter wheel normally against movement about its axis, an actuating de vice mounted for movement about the axis of said counter wheel, a pawl and ratchet connection between said actuating device and said counter wheel, a part carried by said actuating device to engage the detent for said counter wheel and move the same into an inoperative position when said actuating device is moved in a reverse direction, and to hold said detent in said inoperative position until said actuating device has been moved in a forward direction far enough to carry said counter wheel past said detent.

8- In a counter, a counter wheel, a detent to hold said counter wheel normally against movement about its axis, an actuatin device mounted adjacent to said counter w ieel for movement about the axis thereof, said actuating device having means for advancing said counter wheel when said actuating device moves in one direction, said means being such as to permit said actuating device to move in a reverse direction independently of said counter wheel, and a part actuated by said actuating device to move said detent into an inoperative position when said actuating device is moved in a reverse direction, and to hold said detent in such inoperative position during the initial movement of said actuating device in the direction to advance said counter wheel.

9. In a counter, a counter wheel, a detent to lock said counter wheel normally against adjustment, an actuating device for said counter wheel having movement in two directions and having a cam to move the detent for said counter wheel into an inoperative position when said actuating device is moved in one direction, and having means to adjust said counter wheel when said actuating device is moved in the opposite direction, said cam having a dwell to hold said detent in its inoperative position until movement has been imparted to said counter wheel.

10. In a counter, a shaft, a detent mounted on said shaft and held normally in engagement with the units counter wheel to hold the latter against rotation, an actuating device mounted on said shaft adjacent to said units counter wheel, a pawl and ratchet connection between said actuating device and said units counter wheel, and a cam carried by said actuating device and arranged to engage said detent and release said units counter wheel when said actuating device is moved in a reverse direction and to hold said detent in its inoperative position until the forward movement of said actuating device has imparted movement to said units counter wheel.

11. In a counter, a shaft, a plurality of counter wheels mounted on said shaft, the tens counter wheel being provided along that edge of its inner periphery adjacent the units counter wheel with a series of notches and the units counter wheel being provided along that edge of its inner periphery adj acent the tens counter wheel with an annular recess, a detent mounted in said shaft and having a nose held normally in one of the notches of said tens counter wheel and in the recess of said units counter Wheel, an actuating device for advancing said units counter wheel, said units counter wheel having a projection extending into said annular recess to engage said detent and move the same out of the notch in said tens counter wheel when, said units counter wheel has made a complete revolution, and an opera tive connection between said units counter wheel and said tens counter wheel to cause said tens counter wheel to move with the units counter wheel when said detent is in its inoperative position and to permit said units counter wheel to move independently of said tens counter wheel when said detent ".s in its operative position.

12. In a counter, a shaft, a counter Wheel mounted on said shaft and having a series of notches along one edge of the inner periphery thereof, a detent mounted in said shaft and having a part adapted to enter one of the notches in said counter Wheel, a part rotatably mounted on said shaft adjacent to said counter Wheel and having an annular recess therein to receive a portion of said detent, and also having a cam extending into said recess to engage said detent and move the same out of said notch, and an operative connection between said part and said counter wheel to cause said counter wheel to ad Vance with said part when movement is imparted to the latter.

13. In a counter, a shaft, a plurality of counter wheeis mounted on said shaft, a detent mounted on said shaft to engage and lock one of said counter wheels against movement, said counter wheel having an annular recess in one face thereof, a friction ring mounted in said recess, the counter next preceding the first mentioned counter havi a part adapted to engage said detent and release the first mentioned counter when said preceding counter has advanced a predetermined distance, and a permanent connection between said preceding counter and C aid friction ring to cause the latter to move wih said preceding counter.

In a counter, a shaft having a longitudinal slot, a counter wheel mounted on said shaft and having a notch in the inner periphery thereof, a detent mounted in said slot and adapted to enter the notch in said counter wheel, a device mounted adjacent to said counter wheel and having means to move said detent out of said notch and to actuate said counter wheel, and means to actuate said device.

15. In a counter, a shaft having a longitudinal slot, a plurality of counter wheels mounted on said shaft, one of said counter wheels having a notch in the inner periphery thereof, a detent mounted in said slot and adapted to enter the notch in said counter wheel, means actuated by another of said counter wheels to engage said detent and move the same into an inoperative position, means actuated by said last-mentioned counter wheel to impart movement to the first-mentioned counter wheel while said detent is in its inoperative position, and means to actuate said last-mentioned counter wheel.

16. In counter, a plurality of alined counter wheels, a device to actuate the first of said counter wheels, means carried by the respective counter wheels for transferring the count from the first counter wheel to the second counter wheel, means to lock said second counter wheel against movement, and means carried by the first counter wheel to release said second counter Wheel, said lock releasing means being inaccessible for manual operation.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature hereto.

THOMAS A. KEEFER. 

